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Saturday, 29 October 2011

The 2011 d3: Housing Tomorrow competition called for the design of
“transformative solutions that advance sustainable thought, building
performance, and social interaction”. David Zhai and Alexis Burson’s
winning selection for the New York category was an innovative project
that speculated on the future of the network society through the
hybridization of data and living.
The design strategy called for a series of server farms established
within a network of high and low-density housing. The servers interface
with surrounding domestic spaces allowing informational feedback to
occur between the inhabitants and a kinetic architectural system that
responds to the various spatial needs of its community.
Revenue generated from the data servers help to subsidize the cost of
living while the substantial heat created from the processing of data
is used in a heat-exchange process to support domestic heating and hot
water. Heat from the servers also support a network of vertical farming
which provides sustenance for the community. An integrated biometric
monitoring system allows residents to better improve on their health and
lifestyle while increasing the effectiveness of health and emergency
response services.
By re-conceptualizing new modes of informational collection and
distribution on an urban scale, with consideration for health, privacy,
economy, and the environment, this project tests but also begins to
define the emergence of the post-computing society and the creation of a
new urbanism and a new model of community.

Trabeculae is the result of re-imagining the central atrium office
tower. Replacing the traditional operation of repetitive extrusion, a
heliotrope branching system actively seeks out those areas within the
zoning envelope with greatest access to daylight. Forking and swelling
in response to varying light conditions the atrium is thus conceived as a
site-specific network that traverses intelligently and freely from one
façade to another. The atrium becomes the defining element of
differentiation within otherwise normative floor plates while
maintaining efficient floor space ratios.
Within the atrium a second order proliferation of the same system at a
finer scale develops a structural meshwork. The swellings and
coagulations of this topologically free structural
network-within-a-network accommodate meeting rooms and bridges.
The ambition of achieving inorganic speciation is part of
Supermanoeuvre’s broader research into the capacity of generative
architectural methodologies to negotiate novel spatial, formal and
material organizations. Whereby, the performance and character of
architecture is elaborated through both the internal systemic logics of
the algorithm and its motivated response to external stimuli and latent
conditions.
In the Trabeculae tower, the algorithm represents a potential for
difference. A highly complex network of response and decision making
mechanisms capable of engendering spatial and formal differentiation
through multiple levels of internal and environmental feedback and
negotiation. In this regard, the architectural project is no longer
regarded as a passive entity, but rather a typologically-free machine of
multiple possibilities more akin to the morphogenesis of an organism.
Where within the system, the very construction of architecture;
position, scale, displacement, density, thickness, and length are not
only embedded, but more critically become discretely informed by local
environmental sampling.
Designed by architects Dave Pigram, Iain Maxwell, Brad Rothenberg, and Ezio Blasetti

New York-based architect Ju-Hyun Kim envisions the
theme parks of the future as vertical structures in large metropolises.
His concept for a theme park skyscraper borrows the idea from Disneyland
to create different worlds but bases the entire experience in height
and the relationship with the existing city. Ju-Hyun proposes a park
without automobiles, a sustainable building that harvest solar and green
energy, recycles waste, and collects rainwater.
The classic rides, such as the Ferris Wheel, rollercoaster, and
carousel are all re-imagined for a vertical experience. Ju-Hyun’s
vertical theme park has five major areas: Vertigo World (carousel and
observation deck), Fast Land (flume ride, rollercoaster), 360 World
(Ferris Wheel, sky promenade), Abyss City (deep city diver), and the
Elsewhere Universe (space exploration, science center).
We hope this concept becomes a reality to transform and inject new life to a century-old invention.

Czech architect Jiri Richter recently unveiled his
proposal for a self-sufficient vertical city to be located in pristine
landscapes. Richter’s project investigates the possibility of creating a
building that will support an entire community without a nation’s help.
The structure is designed as two 150-meter tall arches with hanging
floors. The central core is an open space aligned to wind currents where
two wind turbines, along with photovoltaic cells will generate the
required energy for the community.
The program is distributed throughout the building with crops fields
in the higher levels in direct contact with sunlight while residences,
educational, cultural, and recreational areas will occupy the lower
floors. An interesting aspect of the proposal is the retractable canopy
between the two arches that will allow airflow during hot summer days
and be closed in winter.

Honorable Mention
2011 Skyscraper CompetitionHsing-O Chiang
Taiwan
The Fish Tower is a prototype for a vertical fish farm that could be
up to 30 times more efficient than traditional farms. It was designed as
a solution to the substantial decrease of wild fish which is estimated
to peak by 2050.
This tower proposes an intensive, yet healthy aquaculture environment
with three primary programmatic components. The first one is a
fisherman’s market and visitors center at ground level. The second
component is the fish farms that are designed based on the research and
analysis of habitation and movement of specific fish species. Each tank
has specific width, form, and shape that resemble natural habitats.
Water temperature and flow are also controlled to mimic ocean
conditions. The third program is dedicated to research labs, where new
technologies would be tested to achieve a productivity of 600
traditional fish farms in 20 levels.

Seeking to unite functions of the three existing buildings of Brussels Airport, architects at UNStudio
introduced an elongated fibrous structure. The insertion establishes
its own identity while serving as a connection between contrasting
entities of the terminal and Pier A. It is a fully integrated commercial
zone which facilitates various operational processes, retail functions,
etc. Once past the screening area, the passengers are introduced to a
duty-free shopping area and led towards a double height central plaza
with cafes. The elevated Cockpit occupies the highest area of the
Connector, offering best views of the plaza below as well as the planes,
landing and taking off.
The structural design principles for the Connector Building are
based on a sustainable approach formed with consideration to site
constraints, constructability and operational flexibility.The
infrastructural element introduced to the existing configuration
translates its visual identity into a recognizable imagery of fluent and
undulating forms.
This intervention is consistent with the ambition of management to
transform the Brussels Airport into a future European hub. It provides a
pleasant and memorable passenger experience and unifies the entire
Airport into a striking landmark architecture.

Thursday, 27 October 2011

'OH residence' by japanese practice koseki architect office is a two-storey private dwelling
in a quiet residential neighbourhood of osaka, japan. simple and regular in volume,
the design inserts a garden space that is bound by a porous, mesh-like facade to dissolve
the physical border between the indoor and outdoor environments.

characterized by a pixelated elevation from the street, the house utilizes a large steel mesh
with suspended stone tiles that serves as a multi-storey fence by the entrance. the treatment
allows for a permeable skin with partial views of the sheltered garden space within.
continuing the same language, the roof form that extends over the outdoor zone features
multiple roof lights of various sizes that further provide a sense of open space.

seeking to establish a direct dialogue with the outdoor elements, the interior programs
which face onto the garden are lined by floor-to-ceiling glazing. the sliding windows allow
the dwelling to easily expand out into the outdoor terrace as well as to promote natural ventilation.
visual connections to the garden are continued to the second storey with a small balcony that
overlooks the private outdoor space below.

copenhagen-based practice BIG architects have created 'transitlager', the winning competition proposal to renovate
and extend a warehouse in the industrial district of basel, switzerland. dating from the 1960s, the 18,000 square meter
concrete structure will receive an additional 7,000 square meters for residences and arts-related spaces to transform
the upcoming dreispitz neighborhood into a bustling arts district. visually separated into two stacked volumes,
the combination will become a hybrid of mixed-use program, rearranging the distribution within the existing floors
to merge activity from the art, commerce, work and living spaces.

view of transitlager from aan djacent building

encompassed by a network of intersecting railways, loading docks and turning radiuses, the zigzagged facade
and pointed corners become generated by the infrastructure. connections between existing public areas and nearby
botanical garden enforce the dynamic location of this new center. additional vibrant urban spaces and peaceful
gardens provide diverse atmospheres for various lifestyles and activities. the folded perimeter of the upper structure
optimizes interior daylight conditions and outward views from rooftop terraces placed within generated niches.
the exterior reflects the geometries of the surrounding context, creating a fresh appearance with a familiar character.

public green spaces

original walls have been removed to create flexible open plans while limited interventions and partitions feature
a minimal material palette of concrete surfaces to retain the sense of place and classic luxury. sparsely filled internal
arrangement increase feasibility for installations for businesses, ateliers and workshops.

zigzagged volume is set upon the existing warehouse

'the stacking of two complimentary structures – one on top of the other – has generated a new take on the typology
of the communal courtyard. where the typical residential courtyard finds itself incarcerated by walls of program,
the roofyards of the transitlager combine the tranquility and communal space of the courtyard with the sunlight
and panoramic views of the penthouse. a penthouse for the people.' - bjarke ingels, partner and founder of BIG

roof terraces and gardens overlooking the encompassing industrial district